Targeting xanthine oxidase by natural products as a therapeutic approach for mental disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miquel Martorell ◽  
Xavier Lucas ◽  
Pedro Alarcón-Zapata ◽  
Xavier Capó ◽  
Maria Magdalena Quetglas-Llabrés ◽  
...  

: Mental disorders comprise diverse human pathologies including depression, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia that affect millions of people around the world. The causes of mental disorders are unclear but growing evidence suggests that oxidative stress and the purine/adenosine system play a key role in their development and progression. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a flavoprotein enzyme essential for the catalysis of the oxidative hydroxylation of purines -hypoxanthine and xanthine- to generate uric acid. As a consequence of the oxidative reaction of XO, reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are produced and, further, contribute to the pathogenesis of mental disorders. Altered XO activity has been associated with free radical-mediated neurotoxicity inducing cell damage and inflammation. Diverse studies reported a direct association between an increased activity of XO and diverse mental diseases including depression or schizophrenia. Small-molecule inhibitors, such as the well-known allopurinol, and dietary flavonoids, can modulate the XO activity and subsequent ROS production. In the present work, we review the available literature on XO inhibition by small molecules and their potential therapeutic application in mental disorders. In addition, we discuss the chemistry and molecular mechanism of XO inhibitors, as well as the use of structure-based and computational methods to design specific inhibitors with the capability of modulating XO activity.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd D. Gruber ◽  
Chithra Krishnamurthy ◽  
Jonathan B. Grimm ◽  
Michael R. Tadross ◽  
Laura M. Wysocki ◽  
...  

<p>The utility of<b> </b>small molecules to probe or perturb biological systems is limited by the lack of cell-specificity. ‘Masking’ the activity of small molecules using a general chemical modification and ‘unmasking’ it only within target cells could overcome this limitation. To this end, we have developed a selective enzyme–substrate pair consisting of engineered variants of <i>E. coli</i> nitroreductase (NTR) and a 2‑nitro-<i>N</i>-methylimidazolyl (NM) masking group. To discover and optimize this NTR–NM system, we synthesized a series of fluorogenic substrates containing different nitroaromatic masking groups, confirmed their stability in cells, and identified the best substrate for NTR. We then engineered the enzyme for improved activity in mammalian cells, ultimately yielding an enzyme variant (enhanced NTR, or eNTR) that possesses up to 100-fold increased activity over wild-type NTR. These improved NTR enzymes combined with the optimal NM masking group enable rapid, selective unmasking of dyes, indicators, and drugs to genetically defined populations of cells.</p>


1960 ◽  
Vol 106 (442) ◽  
pp. 274-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang-Wei Chu ◽  
Mei-Chen Liu

This report is based on a survey of 1,716 Chinese patients admitted to the Peking Municipal Psychopathic Hospital during the years 1933–1943. It is mainly concerned with a statistical presentation of the relative frequency of the various mental disorders and with certain other data which may be of interest to psychiatrists and other members of the medical profession.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-40
Author(s):  
Madhur Basnet ◽  
Luna Paudel ◽  
Bikram Prasad Gajurel ◽  
Nidesh Sapkota ◽  
Raj Kumar Rauniyar

Introduction: Kluver and Bucy described a behavioral syndrome in rhesus monkeys following bilateral temporal lobectomy which included psychic blindness, hyperorality, hypermetamorphosis, hypersexuality, and emotional unresponsiveness. Case report: A 44 years old right handed male of Indo-aryan origin, blacksmith by profession, had presented in manic phase of bipolar illness. He had hypersexuality, hypermetamorphosis, hyperorality, and altered dietary habits along with amnesia and fleeting misrecognition of even his close relatives. MRI of the patient showed mild cerebral atrophy with right temporal lobe atrophy. The patient was treated with lithium and olanzapine along with benzodiazepines. The symptoms resolved gradually with resolution of the manic phase. Patient had similar features in the previous manic episode as well that resolved with resolution of mania. Conclusion: The symptoms of Kluver-Bucy syndrome like increased libido, increased activity might be confused with that of mania. Other features of Kluver-Bucy syndrome and the overt hypersexuality could help identify it even during manic phase of bipolar illness.


Psychiatry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 125-134
Author(s):  
E. F. Vasilyeva ◽  
O. S. Brusov

Background: at present, the important role of the monocyte-macrophage link of immunity in the pathogenesis of mental diseases has been determined. In the first and second parts of our review, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of activation of monocytes/macrophages, which secreting proinflammatory CD16 receptors, cytokines, chemokines and receptors to them, in the development of systemic immune inflammation in the pathogenesis of somatic diseases and mental disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder (BAD) and depression were analyzed. The association of high levels of proinflammatory activity of monocytes/macrophages in patients with mental disorders with somatic comorbidity, including immune system diseases, is shown. It is known that proinflammatory monocytes of peripheral blood, as a result of violation of the integrity of the hematoencephalic barrier can migrate to the central nervous system and activate the resident brain cells — microglia, causing its activation. Activation of microglia can lead to the development of neuroinammation and neurodegenerative processes in the brain and, as a result, to cognitive disorders. The aim of review: to analyze the results of the main scientific studies concerning the role of cellular and molecular mechanisms of peripheral blood monocytes interaction with microglial cells and platelets in the development of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of mental disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Material and methods: keywords “mental disorders, AD, proinflammatory monocytes, microglia, neuroinflammation, cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, platelets, microvesicles” were used to search for articles of domestic and foreign authors published over the past 30 years in the databases PubMed, eLibrary, Science Direct and EMBASE. Conclusion: this review analyzes the results of studies which show that monocytes/macrophages and microglia have similar gene expression profiles in schizophrenia, BAD, depression, and AD and also perform similar functions: phagocytosis and inflammatory responses. Monocytes recruited to the central nervous system stimulate the increased production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), chemokines, for example, MCP-1 (Monocyte chemotactic protein-1) by microglial cells. This promotes the recruitment of microglial cells to the sites of neuronal damage, and also enhances the formation of the brain protein beta-amyloid (Aβ). The results of modern studies are presented, indicating that platelets are involved in systemic inflammatory reactions, where they interact with monocytes to form monocyte-platelet aggregates (MTA), which induce the activation of monocytes with a pro inflammatory phenotype. In the last decade, it has been established that activated platelets and other cells of the immune system, including monocytes, detached microvesicles (MV) from the membrane. It has been shown that MV are involved as messengers in the transport of biologically active lipids, cytokines, complement, and other molecules that can cause exacerbation of systemic inflammatory reactions. The presented review allows us to expand our knowledge about the cellular and molecular aspects of the interaction of monocytes/macrophages with microglial cells and platelets in the development of neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in the pathogenesis of mental diseases and in AD, and also helps in the search for specific biomarkers of the clinical severity of mental disorder in patients and the prospects for their response to treatment.


Author(s):  
Sally-Ann Cooper

Mental disorders are common in people with intellectual disability, with a reported point prevalence of 36% in children and young people (including challenging behaviours), and 40.9% in adults (or 28.3% excluding challenging behaviours). People with intellectual disability experience all types of mental disorders, some more commonly than the general population, e.g. autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, and dementia. Challenging behaviours are also common, and have no clear general population equivalent. Multi-morbidity of mental and physical disorders is typical. Mental disorder assessments are complex due to multi-morbidity and polypharmacy, in addition to impairments in communication, understanding, vision, and hearing, and the need to work with family and paid carers as well as the person with intellectual disability. Mental disorder classificatory systems have been developed for people with intellectual disability, in view of under-reporting when using general population manuals: DC-LD was designed to complement ICD-10, and DM-ID 2 to interpret DSM-5.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 806-812
Author(s):  
Liangliang Liu ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
Aiping Xiao ◽  
Shiyong Mei ◽  
Yixi Xie

AbstractIncreasing the degree of glycation in diabetes could affect the ability of plasma proteins in binding to small molecules and active compounds. In this study, the influence of glycation of Human serum albumin (HSA) on the binding affinities for six dietary flavonoids was investigated by fluorescence spectra. Glycated HSA was prepared through incubation with glucose and characterized by several methods to confirm the glycation. It was found that the level of glycation increased with the increasing incubation time. The glycation of HSA increased the binding affinities for flavonoids by 1.40 to 48.42 times, which indicates that modifications caused by the glycation may have different influences on the interactions of flavonoids with HSA at separate binding sites on this protein. These results are valuable for understanding the influence of diabetes on the metabolism of flavonoids and other bioactive small molecules in human body.


1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (S2) ◽  
pp. 63s-69s ◽  
Author(s):  
D Souery ◽  
O Lipp ◽  
B Mahieu ◽  
J Mendlewicz

SummaryThe present article reviews the recent molecular genetic findings in affective disorders. Results of linkage and association studies are discussed in regard to the main limitations of these approaches in psychiatric disorders. On the whole, linkage and association studies contributed to the localisation of some potential vulnerability genes for Bipolar affective disorder on chromosomes 18, 5, 11, 4, 21 and X. The hypothesis of anticipation in affective disorders is also considered in light of interesting results with trinucleotide repeat mutations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A49.1-A49
Author(s):  
Gérard Lasfargues ◽  
Pascal Jacquetin ◽  
Nathalie Vongmany ◽  
Claire Chauvet ◽  
Quentin Durand-Moreau

ObjectiveTo report data concerning the reality of work-related mental diseases (WRMD) in France, their acknowledgment as occupational diseases and some socio-economic data.MethodsData were collected from the French National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and from the database of the French national occupational surveillance and prevention network (rnv3p). Rnv3p collects data from French Occupational Disease Centers to identify and describe risks and/or emerging work-related diseases.ResultsData from NHIF indicate that the number of requests for acknowledgment of WRMD has increased significantly from 2012 to 2017 (200 to 1500). About 50% are acknowledged and compensated as occupational diseases. Within these affections, the share of depressions is the majority. Durations of work stoppages (more than 400 days on average) were much longer than for other occupational diseases.Mental disorders related to psychosocial risk factors may also be compensated as work injuries. In 2016, NHIF compensated over 10 000 mental disorders as work injuries, mostly caused by external events or inadequate working conditions. The proportion of people with permanent disability was 4.6%. Finally, the management of WRMD acknowledged will have represented € 230 million for the Work Injuries-Occupational Diseases branch of the NHIF.Rnv3p data are globally consistent with NHIF concerning compensated occupational mental diseases, highlighting the increase of WRMD in some sectors such as public administration, health and social action, retail business and education. Over 18000 WRMD (33% men, 67% women; mean age=46.0±8.9) were recorded in the database between 2010 and 2016, and 1833 cases of burnout situations currently non acknowledged as occupational diseases by the NHIF. Rnv3p data also illustrate the importance of under-reporting of WRMD as occupational diseases.ConclusionThen, RNV3P provides important data to assist in the acknowledgment of WRMD and to carry out preventive actions in the sectors and enterprises most concerned.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bazondlile D. Marimbe ◽  
Frances Cowan ◽  
Lazarus Kajawu ◽  
Florence Muchirahondo ◽  
Crick Lund

Background: Mental health service resources are inadequate in low-income countries, and families are frequently expected to provide care for their relative with a mental disorder. However, research on the consequences of care giving has been limited in low-income countries, including Zimbabwe.Objective: The study explored the perceived impact of mental illness, reported coping strategies and reported needs of family members of persons diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder or schizophrenia attending a psychiatric hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe.Methods: A purposive sample of 31 family members participated in in-depth interviews and focus group discussions using standardized study guides. Participants were also screened for Common Mental Disorders (CMD) using the 14-item Shona Symptom questionnaire (SSQ). Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16) was used for quantitative data analysis.Results: Caregivers experienced physical, psychological, emotional, social and financial burden associated with care giving. They used both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies depending on the ill family members’ behaviours. Seeking spiritual assistance emerged as their most common way of coping. Twenty one (68%) of the caregivers were at risk of CMD and were referred to a psychiatrist for further management. Caregivers required support from health care professionals to help them cope better.Conclusion: Caregivers carry a substantial and frequently unrecognized burden of caring for a family member with mental disorder. Better support is needed from health professionals and social services to help them cope better. Further research is required to quantitatively measure caregiver burden and evaluate potential interventions in Zimbabwe.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 1103-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sovan Sarkar

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation pathway essential for cellular and energy homoeostasis. It functions in the clearance of misfolded proteins and damaged organelles, as well as recycling of cytosolic components during starvation to compensate for nutrient deprivation. This process is regulated by mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin)-dependent and mTOR-independent pathways that are amenable to chemical perturbations. Several small molecules modulating autophagy have been identified that have potential therapeutic application in diverse human diseases, including neurodegeneration. Neurodegeneration-associated aggregation-prone proteins are predominantly degraded by autophagy and therefore stimulating this process with chemical inducers is beneficial in a wide range of transgenic disease models. Emerging evidence indicates that compromised autophagy contributes to the aetiology of various neurodegenerative diseases related to protein conformational disorders by causing the accumulation of mutant proteins and cellular toxicity. Combining the knowledge of autophagy dysfunction and the mechanism of drug action may thus be rational for designing targeted therapy. The present review describes the cellular signalling pathways regulating mammalian autophagy and highlights the potential therapeutic application of autophagy inducers in neurodegenerative disorders.


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